A baby has been confirmed as the primary case of H5N1 chicken flu in Australia.
The kid contracted the avian influenza A an infection whereas in India and fell in poor health in March this yr, in response to Victorian well being officers.
The announcement got here hours after chicken flu was detected on a farm in Victoria.
“Contact tracing has not recognized any additional circumstances of avian influenza linked to this case,” Victoria Well being stated in a press release.
The kid reportedly suffered a extreme an infection however has since recovered.
Officers defined that the avian influenza virus was recognized by means of extra testing of constructive influenza samples, a part of Victoria’s enhanced surveillance system designed to detect novel or regarding flu virus strains.
Well being officers emphasised that most individuals will not be in danger from the virus except they’ve contact with contaminated birds, animals, or their secretions in affected areas.
“The avian influenza virus was detected by means of additional testing of constructive influenza samples that takes place to detect novel or regarding flu virus strains, as a part of Victoria’s enhanced surveillance system,” officers stated.
“Hardly ever, avian influenza an infection in people can move to a different particular person with extended contact.
“Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a proof that the H5N1 strains of avian influenza circulating globally may be unfold simply from human to human.”
Earlier this yr, College of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science professor Michael Ward stated chicken flu might have the potential to trigger a pandemic after being detected in Antarctica for the primary time.
“There’s an enormous public well being concern as a result of earlier than Covid everybody was saying chicken influenza goes to be the subsequent pandemic,” he stated.
“Covid got here in and type of leapfrogged it, nevertheless it’s nonetheless very excessive up on the agenda as one of many viruses that has the potential to trigger a pandemic.
“So each time it spills over into people, we’re involved.“Australia will get little or no chicken influenza, nevertheless it’s been actually raging in North America and particularly Europe the final two years – a bit uncontrolled.”
Professor Ward stated the behaviour of the flu’s unfold had been “uncommon”.
“It is probably not stunning it’s ended up in Antarctica, nevertheless it’s stunning as a result of it’s so distant. And if it’s obtained there, there’s nowhere it may possibly’t get,” he stated.
